BAKER - City leaders here and in neighboring Zachary approved a measure to funnel more tax money from out-of-towners into city governments.

Each city council approved a hotel/motel tax that will need to be approved by voters in upcoming elections. In both Zachary and Baker, city leaders hope to use the extra money to fund improvements to city parks.

"Right now, we have a four percent sales tax on hotels and motels that goes to Visit Baton Rouge. Last year, we sent them about $125,000," Zachary mayor David Amrhein said. He believes changing the tax structure in his town will deposit more money in Zachary's park accounts.

Similarly, in Baker the mayor hopes to use the 5% increase to install better lighting at the park near city hall.

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